Lack of drainage destroys roads in Sullia, Belthangady

Team Udayavani, May 21, 2018, 5:49 PM IST

Sullia: The drainage in the city is in an unfinished state due to which rainwater has no place to drain but flow onto the roads.

The drains on the main roads come under the limits of KRDCL and those in the ward are managed by the city panchayath. But, no work has been done in preparation has been done for the rain water of the oncoming monsoon season. The drains are filled with sludge and plants changing their very appearance, let alone its purpose.

Main road becomes the drain

Mani-Mysuru state highway goes through the centre of the city. If there is a little rain, the fear of the road getting flooded comes to play. The rains on Saturday converted the road at Paicharu, Halegaetu and other places into drain as they were completely submerged in the rain water. This is not a single day’s phenomenon but a regular situation whenever there is rain.

Repair at snail’s pace

A complaint was lodged with Lokayukta that the Mani-Mysuru state highway drain construction has not been carried properly. KRDCL officials visited the location, carried investigation and directed the contractors to carry out repair works. But, the repair works have begun just a few days back due to which its benefits are mostly likely not to be availed. This time, no matter what, the road itself will act as the drain. The representatives of the people and the officials will not spoil their minds over this issue.

City Panchayath is not ready

The arrival of rains in June is definite. But, since the last few years, the intensity of rains has preponed to the months of April and May. Though the city panchayath has knowledge about this, they have taken no steps in preparation. They reply that the plan for repair is yet to be prepared. According to the rules, the grant for repairing drains must be allocated before the monsoon itself.

This is the method of preparation for the monsoon and the local administration should also take remedial measures during the monsoon season. But here, none of that is implemented.

Sludge on the road

Since the rain water is compelled to flow onto the road due to lack of drains, the accompanying mud settles on the road. As a result the vehicles plying on the sludge covered road lose traction leading to many an accident here. Even now, the main road and ward road are covered in sludge awaiting catastrophes.

Drains an illusion for water flows on the national highway

Belthangady: There has been good rain across the taluk recently. The forecast has predicted the arrival of monsoon within ten days. Though water is flowing on the national highway, no suitable preparations have been taken up yet.

Bantwal-Villapuram national highway passes through the taluk. But, this road lacks suitable drains due to which the water flows right beside the road. Though the drains exist for namesake, the water flows onto the road causing trouble to the motorists.

The good rain on Saturday night has revealed the failure of the drainage system. All throughout the taluk, the rain water majorly flows onto the roads instead of the drains, thus painting the picture of a failed system.

Roads are getting destroyed

Since Shiradi Ghat has been closed for repair work, most of the traffic passes through Charmadi Ghat. Due to this increase in the vehicle density and the flowing of water onto the roads has increased the chances of the road getting destroyed. When potholes turn up due to this persistent condition, the motorists are forced to face unnecessary risk and danger.

Danger for motorists

The edges of the road have worn out at many places forming dangerous situations. Importantly, the worn out edges of the elevated roads can easily cause a two wheeler to lose traction, fall and inflict injury on to the rider.

Since the traffic density has increased, the two wheeler riders are prone to riding on the edges of the road only increasing the chances of an accident along the stretch. Even if the rider tries to give a miss to the pot holes and worn out edges of the road, his attempts will only increase the chances of meeting with an accident with another vehicle.

Water beside the road

At many places in the taluk where the national highway passes through, one can find large pools of stagnant water bedise the road. This problem is a normal occurrence particularly at places including Guruvayanakere, Santekatte, Ujjire, Belthangady and other places. Suitable relief  must be provided to these affected regions.